I hold a master in civil engineering and have over ten years working across six countries in regeneration, sustainability and public space through water. I am focused on supporting the global movement towards sustainable communities and have a strong commitment to collaborate across sectors and organizations to address climate change and improve our neighbourhoods, starting from the community. I share my thoughts in a newsletter at www.josetorcal.substack.com

Soy un ingeniero de caminos con más de diez años de experiencia trabajando en seis países en proyectos de regeneración, sostenibilidad y espacio público a través del agua. Estoy comprometido a colaborar con profesionales de otras disciplinas y organizaciones para contribuir al movimiento global de comunidades sostenibles. Mis proyectos abordan el desafío del cambio climático y buscan mejorar nuestros barrios, partiendo de la comunidad. Comparto mis ideas en mi boletín, www.josetorcal.substack.com

Kalpna Solanki is a leader with a passion for building high performance teams. Focusing on strategy, culture, and purpose, she believes that all organizations have the potential of going from ‘good’ to ‘great’.

Currently, she is President and CEO of the Environmental Operators Certification Program, Canada’s first water and wastewater facility classification and Environmental Operator certification program.

Kalpna also has significant board experience, and currently sits on two boards.

With a focus on her own well-being, in her spare time, you will find Kalpna kayaking, cycling, or hiking with her three dogs, and on the slopes in the winter.

Kaoru is a senior project manager for the Region of Waterloo’s Water Services Division, where he is primarily responsible for long-term planning of water and wastewater infrastructure.

Prior to the Region, Kaoru worked in many Middle East, Asia, and Caribbean countries as a water supply engineer.

He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering at the University of Waterloo and Kyoto University respectively.

Kaoru enjoys discussing career paths in the water sector through his volunteer work with the local chapter of the Professional Engineers Ontario and with the Ten Thousand Coffees initiative, run through his alma mater.

Karissa Aubie is a Project Manager at the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), where she oversees water and wastewater infrastructure projects. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Trent University and a Master of Science in Environmental Practice from Royal Roads University. Karissa is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Her expertise includes environmental compliance, project management, and sustainable water management practices.

Kate Schwartz is a Research Assistant and Biologist at the River Institute, with a lifelong passion for environmental science and education. Her journey began at age 11 when she attended the Institute’s “Ecofriends” day camp, fostering her interest in nature. She progressed to the Junior Scientist camp and, by 16, joined the River Institute as a summer intern. Over the years, Kate has contributed to various research projects, often leading field crews in activities such as seine netting and water quality assessments. She also shares her enthusiasm for the natural world through educational initiatives, including nature journaling sessions and workshops on water quality monitoring.

As a Technical Trainer & Project Coordinator at Water First, Keegan spends most of his time planning and delivering water science workshops in Indigenous communities in Canada. Keegan has been working in water science for 8 years, in academic research support and for an NGO. Keegan holds an M.Sc. in Geography from Carleton University.

Kiersten Runte is a marine researcher and science communicator, working with the Blue Futures Pathways (BFP) Program led by the Students On Ice Foundation as a BFP Communications Coordinator. With passion for science communication and storytelling, and over 5 years experience working in Canada’s ocean innovation and research space, they’ve fostered skills in project management, graphic design, photography, videography, technical writing, workshop development, science education and outreach. Kiersten’s background in marine mammal acoustics led them to investigate a mystery beaked whale signal, where a passion for creating marine educational programming for youth and communicating science to non-science audiences was kindled. They completed the Dalhousie University’s Indigenous studies certificate program, located on the unceded territory of Mi’kma’ki people. They are also an alum of BFP’s first cohort of interns and hopped aboard the first dedicated BFP expedition back in 2023.

Larissa enjoys the challenge of understanding complex river systems such as the Ottawa River and learning about the watershed collaboratively with other freshwater organizations, Algonquin Communities, authorities, researchers and citizen scientists. She feels strongly that helping to build a stronger insight of rivers and watersheds is a key way to engage with people and encourage action that protects water and waterways.

Larissa holds a BSc.H in Environmental Science from Concordia University and a Masters in Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University. Larissa’s favourite river activity is to explore the tributaries and see how these smaller streams have shaped the land around them.

Laura is passionate about bringing communities together to learn about and protect water bodies. For the past four years, she has led our educational programming, helping to train over 20,000 people in water monitoring across Canada. She also oversees partnerships with organizations in Quebec. When she’s not engaging with our community, Laura manages operations and contributes to financial planning. More recently, she has been involved in testing and supporting the launch of the new Water Rangers data platform. She’s always looking for new ways to make water science more accessible and impactful.

Connect with Laura at [email protected] 

Laura is a community organizer and changemaker, focused on delivering positive environmental and social change. She holds a Magisteriate in Environmental Studies from York University specialized in environmental education and community arts. She has worked in gardens, galleries, and along river banks to connect people with a strong sense of place.

An adept non-profit leader, Laura founded Toronto’s Not Far From The Tree, an award-winning charitable initiative to pick fruit growing in backyards and transform it into a shared public good. While at the helm of Food For All New Brunswick, she built a robust network to activate and amplify food security.

Laura lives near the Ottawa River in Orléans with her partner and their two children. Originally from Sackville, New Brunswick, Laura grew up very connected to water: canoeing on the lake in her backyard, swimming on the beaches of the Northumberland Strait, and mudsliding on the Bay of Fundy mudflats. She speaks four languages and loves to cross-country ski.

Layla Staats is an inspirational and creative multidisciplinary Artist based in the Six Nations, whose works stem from her journey of understanding and reclaiming her Indigenous strength as a generation survivor of residential schools. As an Indigenous Film Maker, Musician, Speaker, and Activist, she advocates for Indigenous rights, and utilizes her mediums to provide a platform for the stories and movements of her community.

Linda is an Environmental Engineer heavily involved in complex and multidisciplinary projects in both the public and private sectors. In recent years, Linda’s work has focused on supporting the pharmaceutical industry with environmental management and infrastructure construction. Linda has been a dedicated committee member with several Canadian and international water associations.

Lisa Bowering is a water resources engineer at GHD in Waterloo with over 11 years of experience in the field. Lisa’s expertise encompasses a wide range of technical skills, including hydraulic and hydrologic modelling, stormwater management design, climate change risk assessment, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Throughout her career, Lisa has contributed to numerous projects involving the intersection of surface water and climate change, including natural channel design, floodplain mapping, hydro climate data analysis, watershed management and the development of Future Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves.
Her contributions to the field are further highlighted by her authorship and co-authorship of scientific papers on the impacts of climate change on municipal infrastructure. Additionally, she serves as a referee for the Journal of Flood Risk Management and Urban Water.
Out of the office you are likely to find Lisa hiking with her family or reading a good book!

As a Regulations Officer at Raisin Region Conservation Authority, I have over 22 years of experience and knowledge in a variety of conservation programs, such as ecological monitoring, stewardship, communications and community outreach. I am passionate about protecting and enhancing the natural environment and its biodiversity, and educating the public about its importance and benefits.

I have worked on many projects and initiatives that have improved the ecological health and resilience of the RRCA watershed, such as restoring habitats, conducting field surveys, and collaborating with partners and stakeholders. I have also delivered environmental education and awareness programs to schools, groups, and individuals, using my skills in communication, organization, and leadership. I am always eager to learn new skills and techniques, and to share my expertise and insights with others.

My name is Tekaherha Logan Lazore, and I am wolf clan from the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne. I graduated from Trent University with a BA in Indigenous Environmental Studies and am currently working for the Mohawk council of Akwesasne’s environment program as their environmental field technician.

Mark Gloutney is the National Director of Science, Education and Business Planning. Mark spent his formative years in and around wetlands along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, where he developed the passion for wetlands and wildlife. Mark received a B.Sc. from McGill and completed a Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1996. After two years in environmental consulting Mark joined the DUC team in Atlantic Canada as senior biologist in 1998. Since joining DUC Mark has been involved with the delivery of conservation program and was the Director of Regional Operations for Eastern Canada and British Columbia until 2022. This included a strong focus on implementing and managing wetland restoration projects that impact water quality and quantity. Mark started his new executive position in April 2022 with a focus on leading and growing DUC’s science and education programs across Canada. One of the core areas of focus of DUC’s research team in on evaluating impacts of conservation actions on water quality and quantity.

Martin Bureau is a passionate innovator with a proven track record in successfully commercializing water conservation and treatment technologies. Committed to resilience, sustainable development, and the circular economy, he tackles some of the most pressing challenges in the water sector.

With over 25 years of experience in manufacturing, environmental engineering, and water technology—both in research environments and the private sector—Martin has played a key role in growing companies and business lines. He has successfully launched new products and services while managing a robust innovation portfolio from ideation to commercial rollout. His contributions to trenchless watermain renewal and contaminated water treatment technologies, particularly PFAS remediation, have earned him national and international recognition.

Martin has extensive experience within Canada’s innovation ecosystem, collaborating with leading universities such as McGill, Université de Montréal, INRS, Queen’s, UBC, Cornell, and UCLA Berkeley, as well as institutions like the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), Transition Énergétique Québec (TEC), and Investissement Québec. He has also served on the boards of Écotech Québec, the Conseil Patronal de l’Environnement du Québec (CPEQ), and several other organizations.

A professional engineer, Martin holds a Master’s and PhD in engineering. As VP of Innovation for seven years, he built an intellectual property portfolio comprising 14 patent families and 60 individual patents. A recognized speaker, he has authored over 250 journal papers and conference presentations.

Marty Bince is an industry leading sales and automation professional, and management consultant. Currently Automation Business Development Manager with EECOL Electric, Marty has a demonstrated history of technical acumen and experience in many industrial and manufacturing settings, including as a former business owner of an industrial automation software distributor. He has experience with many facets of oil & gas extraction/production/transportation, manufacturing, mining, food processing, water/wastewater, manufacturing and clean tech. Marty has been a member of the International Society of Automation (ISA) Executive Board since 2017 and is ISA President for the 2023 term.

Meaghan Quanz works as a Habitat Restoration Specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). She was first introduced to the field of wetland science while working as a research assistant on wetland restoration projects in Alberta. After completing her Masters of Environmental Science at Dalhousie University, she worked for a local environmental consulting firm completing wetland and other biological surveys before landing her current position at DUC. Meaghan spends most of her time working on wetland restoration projects in the Atlantic provinces, and is involved in identifying, planning and delivering potential projects, as well as monitoring projects post-restoration.

Melissa is Director, Policy & Programs at Pollution Probe, a national not-for-profit, charitable organization that seeks to improve the health and well-being of Canadians by advancing policy that achieves positive, tangible, environmental change. She is responsible for leading the organization’s Circular Economy and Great Lakes Programs and also contributes to its transportation file. Since joining Pollution Probe in 2010, Melissa has worked in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders to find common solutions to challenging environmental issues. She has led a variety of research and development initiatives and public outreach and education campaigns related to environmental health, the Great Lakes, plastic waste, chemicals management and consumer engagement.

Melissa is a strong believer in entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation as the path toward a sustainable future. With eight years of experience in academia, government, consulting, community initiatives, and the non-profit sectors across Canada, she draws from multiple perspectives in her work advancing the fields of natural resource management, conservation, and sustainable business. Melissa holds a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Biology from Carleton University.

In 2024 Mr. Goffin joined Toronto Metropolitan University as Water Policy Fellow in the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation and affiliated with the Bruce Fellowships in Canadian Freshwater Policy.

Prior to joining Toronto Metropolitan University Mr. Goffin spent more than forty-years in the Public Service of Canada, with Environment and Climate Change Canada, during which time he was engaged in policy develop and program delivery in a wide variety of areas including environmental protection, wildlife management, meteorology, water and ecosystem management, intergovernmental affairs, Indigenous relations and community outreach and engagement.

For more almost twenty years Mr. Goffin was responsible for leading Canada’s efforts to restore and protect the water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Great Lakes and in 2012 he was lead negotiator for Canada responsible for negotiation of the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.  In 2020 Mr. Goffin took on a new role, leading the creation of the Canada Water Agency.

Mr. Goffin received his undergraduate training in environmental studies from the University of Toronto, and has a Master of Science degree in Geomorphology, also from the University of Toronto.

Michele Grenier is the Executive Director of the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA). She is a licensed professional Chemical Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry in both the public and private sectors. Her expertise is in the planning, operation, optimization and maintenance of municipal drinking water systems. Michele is a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association, the Ontario Environment Industry Association, and the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Urban Water Centre Board of Advisors. She is also the current Chair of the Ontario Advisory Council On Drinking Water Quality And Testing Standards.

Monica Seidel is an educator and communicator at Watersheds Canada, an environmental charity that focuses on empowering people of all ages to lead freshwater stewardship projects as they connect with nature, wildlife, and each other. She has worked as an environmental educator for several years and has a background in environmental science (Queen’s University) and fundraising (Algonquin College). Monica is an alumna of three Ocean Wise youth programs where she created three French/English ecology children’s books. In her spare time, she can be found hiking, paddling, camping, and spending time with family.

Natasha Pozega is the Water Conservation Coordinator for the City of Cornwall, where she spearheads initiatives focused on sustainable water management, including projects like universal water metering and AMI implementation, and promoting drinking water quality. Beyond her professional role, she is deeply engaged in the Cornwall community, actively participating in and organizing events such as the Cornwall Triathlon. Her combined expertise in environmental sustainability and community engagement makes her a valuable contributor to discussions on water conservation and local development.

Winner of the 2023 Water Canada Awards’ Water Steward of the Year

Patrick has dedicated the past 12 years to envisioning and realizing the future of the wastewater industry, using his water technology company to introduce a new way to monitor wastewater, and help solve challenges across the water sector. He is building a strong, innovative team to grow the impact of not just bio-sensing technology, but the integration of new tech and advanced treatment for better water outcomes.

Bio-sensing technology provides data about biological activity from much earlier in a treatment process – allowing operators to take earlier action to treat the incoming water more effectively.

I have over 32 year’s of experience in the Wastewater industry and since 2009 I have successfully managed 2 of the largest WW Facilities in Canada, the GE Booth WWTF in Peel and now the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant (ABTP) in the City of Toronto. The ABTP plant is currently the largest Wastewater Secondary Treatment Plant in Canada originally commissioned in 1910. It has a capacity of 818 MLD, serves a geographic area of 2,500 ha and a population of over 1.5 million people. I am a graduate of Seneca College as Civil Engineering Technologist and a I have a Masters in Project and Public Management from the Schulich School of Business.